25. 02. 2025.

At the headquarters of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, from February 17 to 21, 2025, the Tripartite Technical Meeting on "Access to Justice in Labour Matters: Prevention and Resolution of Labour Disputes" was held, bringing together representatives from over 80 countries. This meeting was the first of its kind and marks a turning point in international efforts to focus on access to justice in the prevention and resolution of labour disputes.

Following intensive discussions and the exchange of diverse national experiences, a joint document was adopted, providing clear guidelines for future actions in this field. The document highlights key principles of effective and inclusive labour dispute resolution, in line with international labour standards and the principles of social justice.

The conclusions of the meeting unequivocally confirm that access to justice in labour matters is not only a legal issue but also a foundation for stable labour relations and social cohesion. To fully implement this principle, ILO member states were called upon to strengthen institutional capacities, improve judicial and non-judicial mechanisms, and ensure that all workers and employers have equal opportunities to protect their rights. Furthermore, they were encouraged to focus on continuous prevention of labour disputes by strengthening social dialogue and collective bargaining, which were recognized as the most effective tools for maintaining stable relations between employers and employees.

The role of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) was also examined as one of the key mechanisms for achieving efficient and fair labour justice. ADR was recognized as an important complementary model that can help ease the burden on court systems and enable faster and more cost-effective resolution of labour conflicts. Additionally, the need for further development and enhancement of these practices was emphasized, particularly through capacity-building for institutions and experts conducting peaceful resolution of labour disputes. Ensuring the voluntary nature of alternative processes and their compliance with international labour standards was identified as a necessary condition for their successful implementation in various legal systems.

Another important topic discussed was digitalization and the use of new technologies in labour dispute resolution processes. It was highlighted that online platforms and digital case management systems can improve accessibility and efficiency in providing labour justice. However, it is essential to ensure fairness and transparency in their implementation. A key challenge remains ensuring that technological innovations do not create additional barriers for the most vulnerable groups of workers.

With this initiative, the International Labour Organization has once again reaffirmed its crucial role in ensuring social justice worldwide. The meeting clearly demonstrated that the future of labour justice lies in strengthening preventive mechanisms, promoting social dialogue, and improving effective and fair dispute resolution mechanisms.

This represents a historic step forward in regulating one of the most critical aspects of modern labour law, and the conclusions of the meeting will serve as the basis for future regulatory recommendations within the International Labour Organization.

Among the participants was a delegation from the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labour Disputes, which attended as an observer at the invitation of the International Labour Organization. The Agency’s representatives presented the Serbian model of peaceful labour dispute resolution, which has been successfully applied for 20 years. The Agency’s participation contributed to the quality of the meeting’s recommendations and to strengthening international cooperation in the fields of labour law and social dialogue.